What is a pediatric dentist?
When should my child’s first dental visit be?
How do I prepare for my child’s first visit? What is to be expected?
Prepare for your child’s first visit by taking a positive approach. For very young children, there are excellent children’s stories describing a dentist visit. Convey good feelings about dental visits being part of growing up. It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as “needle,” “shot,” “pull,” “drill,” or “hurt.” The office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
You will be allowed to be with your child during the initial examination. We ask, however, that you remain a “silent partner” since it is difficult for a child to pay attention to more than one person at a time. Please understand that crying is a normal reaction for young children.
Usually, after the initial visit, we ask that you allow your child to accompany our staff through the appointment. We can usually establish a closer rapport with your child when you are not present, especially since our office has an environment designed for children.
Our purpose is to gain your child’s confidence and overcome apprehension. We have consistently enjoyed a very high success rate, and you should feel assured and confident in your child’s dental care. Every child is different. Each young patient will be able to form their own preferences about their dental process with us. We will work with you to decide the best method to give your child a positive experience at our office.
Is it possible to get too much fluoride
Yes, it is possible, but uncommon when fluoride is used appropriately. Fluoride is important for preventing cavities, but too much can lead to a condition called fluorosis, which may cause faint white spots on developing teeth (usually only a concern in children under 8).
To use fluoride safely:
Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children ages 3 and up (a smear for younger children).
Teach your child not to swallow toothpaste.
Avoid giving fluoride supplements unless recommended by your dentist or pediatrician.
Check your local water supply—if it’s fluoridated, additional fluoride may not be needed.
With proper use, fluoride is a safe and effective way to protect your child’s teeth.
How often are regular dental visits recommended?
How can I keep my child cavity-free?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a dental check-up at least twice a year for most children. They help your child stay cavity-free. The visits include teeth cleanings, which remove debris that builds up on the teeth, irritates the gums, and causes decay. Fluoride treatments are also used to renew the fluoride content of the enamel, strengthen the teeth, and prevent cavities. Cavities are caused by bacteria and food that are left on the teeth after eating. When these are not brushed away, acid collects on the tooth, softening its enamel until a hole forms. Regular use of fluoride toughens the enamel, making it more difficult for acid to penetrate.
What should for different dental emergengies?
What should I do if my child’s baby tooth is knocked out or chipped?
If your child’s baby tooth is chipped or knocked out, here’s what to do:
- Stay calm and comfort your child.
- Rinse their mouth gently with water to clean the area.
- Apply a cold compress to the lip or cheek to reduce swelling.
- Call your dentist as soon as possible. Even though it’s a baby tooth, it’s important to check for damage to nearby teeth or the gums.
- Do not try to reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth—unlike permanent teeth, baby teeth are not usually replanted, as it can affect the developing adult tooth underneath.
Timely dental care can help prevent complications and ensure your child stays comfortable and healthy.
What should I do if a permanent tooth is chipped or fractured?
If your child chips or fractures a permanent tooth, stay calm and act quickly:
- Contact your dentist right away. Even small chips should be evaluated to prevent further damage or infection.
- Rinse your child’s mouth with warm water to clean the area.
- If there’s bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze.
- Save any broken tooth pieces if you can, and bring them to the dental appointment.
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling if needed.
- Avoid using the damaged tooth to bite or chew until it’s treated.
Prompt care gives the best chance of restoring the tooth and preventing long-term issues.
When should I start cleaning my baby’s teeth?
It should start as early as possible. You should begin cleaning your baby’s mouth on the first day of life. Wipe the mouth gently and massage the gum pads after each feeding before bedtime with a damp gauze pad wrapped around your finger or a damp washcloth. Hold your baby so that his/her head rests comfortably in your lap; this will aid stability and provide better visibility. Then, as the first tooth erupts, a small soft brush should be used, and later, a small amount of toothpaste should be used on the toothbrush. Avoid sending your child to bed with a baby bottle unless it is water only.
When will my child’s teeth erupt?
What is baby bottle tooth decay?
Baby bottle tooth decay is a dental condition that can cause a lot of pain and suffering in small children. It is a condition that destroys the teeth of an infant or young child. This condition can be caused by the frequent exposure of a child’s teeth for long periods of time to liquids containing sugars. Among these are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice, sodas and other sweetened liquids.
When a baby is put to bed with a bottle, the liquid drips into the mouth continuously. It collects around the teeth as long as the bottle is in the mouth. It is not what the children drink, but how often and for how long their teeth are exposed to decay-causing acids. That is why frequently offering your child a bottle containing sugary liquid as a pacifier or allowing your child to fall asleep with a bottle during naps or at night can seriously harm the teeth. The most likely teeth to be damaged are the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected.
How can baby bottle tooth decay be prevented? Are primary (baby) teeth important?
Never let your baby fall asleep with a bottle containing sugary liquids or a pacifier dipped in sugar or honey. You can use a bottle with water if the child needs a comforter. Start cleaning the baby’s teeth early and wipe the gums with a clean gauze or a wet towel after each feeding. And check your child’s teeth regularly.
Is thumb sucking harmful?
Developing malocclusions, or bad bites, can be recognized as early as 2-3 years of age. Early steps can often reduce the need for major orthodontic treatment at a later age.
Stage I – Early Treatment: This period of treatment encompasses ages 2 to 6 years. At this young age, we are concerned with underdeveloped dental arches, the premature loss of primary teeth, and harmful habits such as finger or thumb sucking. Treatment initiated in this stage of development is often very successful and, often, though not always, can eliminate the need for future orthodontic/orthopedic treatment.
Stage II – Mixed Dentition: This period covers the ages of 6 to 12, with the eruption of the permanent incisor (front) teeth and 6-year-old molars. Treatment concerns deal with jaw malrelationships and dental realignment problems. This is an excellent stage to start treatment, when indicated, as your child’s hard and soft tissues are usually very responsive to orthodontic or orthopedic forces.
Stage III – Adolescent Dentition: This stage deals with the permanent teeth and the development of the final bite relationship.
How can I help my child to stop sucking?
The pediatric dentist has an extra two to three years of specialized training after dental school, and is dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teenage years. The very young, pre-teens, and teenagers all need different approaches in dealing with their behavior, guiding their dental growth and development, and helping them avoid future dental problems. The pediatric dentist is best qualified to meet these needs.
My child’s permanent teeth are coming in behind the baby teeth—what should I do?
This is a common situation often called “shark teeth,” and it usually happens when the permanent teeth start coming in before the baby teeth have fallen out.
Here’s what to do:
Don’t panic—this often resolves on its own. The baby teeth usually loosen and fall out naturally.
Encourage your child to wiggle the baby teeth regularly to help them come out.
Schedule a dental visit if the baby teeth aren’t loosening or falling out after a few weeks, or if your child is experiencing discomfort.
Your dentist may recommend removing the baby teeth if they’re not coming out on their own. Early evaluation ensures the permanent teeth have room to move into the right position.
What is the best time for orthodontic treatment?
Developing malocclusions, or bad bites, can be recognized as early as 2-3 years of age. Early steps can often reduce the need for major orthodontic treatment at a later age.
Stage I – Early Treatment: This period of treatment encompasses ages 2 to 6 years. At this young age, we are concerned with underdeveloped dental arches, the premature loss of primary teeth, and harmful habits such as finger or thumb sucking. Treatment initiated in this stage of development is often very successful and, many times, though not always, can eliminate the need for future orthodontic/orthopedic treatment.
Stage II—Mixed Dentition: This period covers the ages of 6 to 12, with the eruption of the permanent incisor (front) teeth and 6-year-old molars. Treatment concerns deal with jaw malrelationships and dental realignment problems. This is an excellent stage to start treatment, when indicated, as your child’s hard and soft tissues are usually very responsive to orthodontic or orthopedic forces.
Stage III – Adolescent Dentition: This stage deals with the permanent teeth and the development of the final bite relationship.